Buying Parts For Your EV? Don't Make The Mistake WE Did!

Published 2023-01-27
When buying parts for your car, it's easy to get confused about which part you actually need - especially when you're talking to someone on the telephone.

But as we discovered in this staff car update, it's important to make sure you're getting the right part - or you may end up making a big mistake just like we did...

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00:00 - Introduction
01:12 - Our Bolt EV's past few months
03:03 - Brakes and Battery service worries
04:52 - Our planned video
08:25 - Broken under panel
10:44 - Dramatization
14:22 - Lessons Learned
20:29 - Thanks, and Goodbye!

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Script: Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield
Presenter: Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield
Camera, Coloring: Michael Horton
Editor, Producer: Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield
Art and Animation: Erin Carlie
© Transport Evolved LLC, 2023

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All Comments (21)
  • Nikki, Kate and TEN staff: I want to say, just so, straight out into the Universe, how much I appreciate your channel and appreciate you. I love your relentlessly cheerful and optimistic viewpoint while presenting accurate content. I appreciate your courage and vision to live authentic lives in often less than friendly circumstances. And with that background, I deeply appreciate the fact that you're channel is on the side of a green revolution, sustainable transport and sustainable energy. It's also a fun and entertaining channel to watch. In short, you guys are a hoot.
  • @KineticEV
    I'm a Model Y owner but I just wanna say much respect to our fellow EV (Bolt) drivers out there. I'm glad to see them and so happy many of you have your replacement batteries. We definitely need to see more EV brands and choices on the roads.
  • @BIMRFRK
    Here's my dealership parts and service experience: Sometimes dealerships have no idea what they're looking for in EV's... My AC was acting up on my 2018 Nissan Leaf SV, the issue was sporadic in nature, so tried the easiest thing for first, and replaced the Relay, still no luck,... So brought it to a dealership in the US (Canadian vehicle, but luckily close enough to the border). After three full day visits, they couldn't figure it out... I sourced out the wiring diagram myself, as I had a feeling it was electrical related, and there was only two or three things that could have impacted the HVAC from working that made sense to me, on my second visit I asked them to take a look at the safety pressure switch, after the third visit, they told me I had a small leak at the expansion valve and wanted 1600$ USD upfront (because I was Canadian) to order the parts. I thought it was ridiculous... I went to a (not EV certified) local garage and they confirmed that the coolant gases were within spec and there was no leak. They didn't want to touch anything else cause the compressor uses high voltage... so I I drove 1.5 hrs to another Nissan dealership, this time staying in Canada, and they couldn't figure it out either... I told them again, check the pressure switch... they sent me home, still unfixed and told me they'd check with Nissan techline and they'd call me back... well, they never called back,.. a few weeks gone by and I had to call them back, and they said they needed 3-4 days in a row with the vehicle, the HV service disconnect needed to get unplugged and claimed to take 4 hrs to drain, etc to do further diagnosis... a few days later, guess what, they think its the pressure switch and that would be a $1200 part and 4hrs worth of labour + diagnostics fees totalling up to $2000 to replace a pressure switch... I couldn't believe it... I looked up the part myself, had I gotten the Leaf S, the pressure switch was only 60$. But because the SV has automated climate control, you can't just replace the switch, its welded in place! and you can't just replace the one line that contains the switch, you had to replace all lines as a kit (SMH)... Either case, even EV technicians seem to clueless about these cars, and the lack of them and certified dealerships to work on them is the worst part of EV ownership. and whoever's bright idea it was to weld in a sensor so you can't just easily replace it when it fails deserves to be fired.
  • I dig talking about the actual life of owning a non-unobtainium powered EV. A new Bolt EV actually seems like we might be able to buy one some day soon!
  • @ejd1984
    Not Bolt directly related (Though still GM): It can be really difficult to find a good, honest and reputable dealer and/or repair shop. I am so glad I found that with my dealer.
    A few examples:
    1. With how may times I have had my tires rotated, they told me the lug nuts were getting stripped/worn out. And to replace all 24 would cost over $200 with official GM lugs. They told me "Go to Amazon with this part number, and we'll install them for you"
    2. The OEM headlight bulbs would burnout every two years like clockwork. The OEM parts were pricey with the tripled in price. Again they told me to get LED bulbs online, and they would install.
    3. I would periodically get an error message about the Trailer Brake Module, which cost over $700 to replace. They told me it was just they connector that needed some contact spray. It was done with my other service at no charge.
    Again - It can take years of Trial & Error to find a place like this.

    I really appreciate you for doing this video highlighting how to be proactive with vehicle parts and repair. 🙂
  • @CSHarvey
    driving an OG 2017 Bolt EV Premiere. Bought it used in 2019 w 82k miles, battery replaced at 105k miles, now at 110k. Took a day for the GOM to reset and start showing the new higher range.
  • I have a 21 Bolt that I bought a month before the recall. I have not had the battery replaced yet, but I’m not in any rush. Loved the video, as usual. I am planning to get as many “free miles” out of this battery before it gets replaced.
  • @jaredleemease
    Thank you Nikki, Michael, Erin and the transport evolved team.
  • @handlemonium
    This is so weird and amazing seeing a street that I bike past so often being driven on YouTube! Thanks for sharing your first-hand experience.

    I am currently learning video editing and drone mapping & videography (I'll be done with the drone certification program next year) so if you guys need some help on a video at some point in the future please let me know!
  • I had an engine compartment underpanel come off too. It was a rental car, which made it even more embarrassing. It got ripped off when driving through a large-ish water puddle at about 30 mph, which is pretty lame I admit. I believe it was already pre-torn when I got it. Anyway, I found one online for a reasonable price and put it on myself. It was quite easy.

    Speaking of parts and accidents, I have a suggestion for a future video: What to do if your EV is involved in an accident. Where to take it to be fixed. This answer is not as straightforward as you might think as many body shops are not equipped to service electric vehicles and most dealerships that are EV certified don't do body work. I had a dickens of a time finally finding one that does both, working in conjunction with an EV certified Kia Dealership (it's a 2016 Kia Soul EV+).
  • @mnd901
    Great video Nikki! I own a late-2019 Bolt Premier and had the battery replaced last summer. I did see an increase in battery range over the summer and fall. Aside from the battery recall, I've had no problems with my car and still enjoy driving it. I'd be interested in seeing a video about (EV) car accessories and mods like your wireless dongle, etc.
  • @greatpix
    I've learned a few things in my 70 years. One of them has to do with parts. I had an initial experience to yours but with a dishwasher. Long story short, the first thing I do now is look for the manual that came with the item and find the exploding diagram of the model I'm working on if it has one, or search online like you did. If I've been able to clearly identify what part(s) I need I write down the names and numbers and will call around to various parts sources to find the best deal, which can be substantial sometimes. In the case of automobiles if I take it in to the dealer to diagnose a problem, I'll usually leave the car there and get a lift home. When they call to tell me what is wrong, if it's simple, like the underplate you dealt with I'll then look up the part number and call around to nearby dealers parts departments to find the best price for part(s) and installation, and again, that can be substantial. If I have to drive an additional 40 miles to a dealer but they've got a sale on parts and service and I can save $40-$50 or more it's well worth the hassle.
  • Generally good advice regardless of ICE or EV. My Chrysler dealership wanted to charge me about $3k of repairs to my ICE minivan - that felt a bit off to me so I declined all but the battery replacement (the original reason for the visit). I took it to my own mechanic - they determined half the stuff didn't need to be done at all and the other items were way over priced.
  • I was told after 1 year that my Kona EV needed all 4 brake rotors replaced and pads for $1200.00
    I refused the service, did some research with fellow owners as that seemed ridiculous and challenged the service.
    The service manager called me, we discussed it and they ended up doing the replacement under warranty .
    Never accept service that appears abnormal without questioning why and how much.
  • @ouch1011
    I was a professional automotive technician for nearly 20 years and the experience you had trying to order parts from your local dealer is the same thing that independent shops deal with on a daily basis. I got to the point where I wouldn’t even bother trying to describe what I needed to the parts tech, I’d just find it online myself and tell them the part number. In many cases, if you have the old part, you can just get the part number from the old part (sometimes that is necessary, especially if there are multiple options or running production changes). Some manufacturers are getting better about making their parts catalogs and diagrams readily available online, others are lagging behind. The only potential downside is that if you find the part number online and give that to the parts tech, if you order the wrong thing, they are much less likely to take it back (at least without a restocking fee). They’re usually more willing to take the part back for a full refund if they ordered it and got it wrong.

    I really like the project you have going on with your wife’s Bolt. I fully support the concept of keeping an older vehicle on the road and “updating” it to keep it like new. I think driver assistance features are among the biggest reasons that a lot of people are moving to newer vehicles so I really hope that Comma.ai and the OpenPilot project can gain some traction. An older Bolt with a new battery and better driver assistance is just as good (or maybe better, in some ways) than a new one.
  • @jfrenchws6
    My 2017 Bolt has been trouble free since the battery was replaced in Dec of 2021. I bought it in Sept of 2020 with just under 36k, it now has all but 60k. It's been on many road trips and is the primary vehicle for our household. We still have a gas SUV for really long trips and hauling. It largely sits in the garage. We drive the Bolt so much a tank of gas lasts us at least 2 weeks on average.
  • @Alex-je6od
    @14:50 yup. That was my first thought at the beginning of this.
    You gotta do the legwork yourself and give them exact part numbers.
    GM dealerships are really hit or miss in quality. Sometimes (rarely) you'll get an expert who actually knows what they're doing... other (most) times you'll get some old-timer who doesn't really care. On the bright side, at least you can order replacement parts from GM.

    As for my 2019 Bolt EV. New battery, extra range. They didn't follow the TSB and pull a vacuum on the coolant loop, so lots of gurgling early on and one top-off of coolant. They didn't retrain the battery so it took a few months to slowly see the extra range.

    Side note, the cheap Vercelli Strada 2 tires are a good value-priced tire option for the Bolt EV. I'm trading in my Bolt later this year for a Rivian and didn't want to spend too much on tires. The Vercelli are "fine" and haven't impacted range much.
  • I just ordered a part for our 2012 Chevy Volt from a junk yard. I am NOT AT ALL CONFIDENT that they are actually sending me the right thing!
    We'll see when it shows up!
  • I suspect the Aero shield on the Bolt is probably similar to the Tesla vehicles. My assessment was it provided almost no protection to the coolant lines and HV wiring located on the front of the battery. Mine did not get damaged but to be proactive I replaced it with an aftermarket aluminum cover. The cover is not a rock crawling skid plate but it should protect much better than the Aero OEM hat liner it replaced. I also replaced the rear Aero cover at the same time. Both covers were around $300 and I installed both of them in under 45 min.
  • I bought a used 17 Bolt about 2 years ago now and it's been great. Just about to hit 50k mi. I also gussied it up a bit with wireless Android auto adapter (Motorola MA1) and also bought a Comma 3 last year but have been a little intimidated to install it, since the older bolts are not officially supported and need adapters and such. So I'll definitely be checking out your vids.